Question NW3965 to the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
15 December 2017 - NW3965
Krumbock, Mr GR to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
(1)In light of the cost containment measures contained in the National Treasury’s Municipal Finance Management Act Circular 82 dated 30 March 2016, on what statutory grounds did the uMngeni Local Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal rely when it spent an estimated R350 000 at a 4-star beachfront hotel in Durban from 23 to 26 April 2017 for a service delivery workshop; (2) (a) why was it necessary for the specified workshop to be hosted at the specified hotel, when a local venue was allegedly available at a cost of R45 000 and (b) has he found that the conducting of workshops outside of municipal facilities due to less distractions and better levels of concentration improve the outcomes of the workshops hosted by municipalities; (3) whether he intends to take any steps against the specified municipality for hosting the workshop at the hotel; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
The information requested by the Honourable Member is not readily available in the Department. The Department has however, engaged the Provincial Departments responsible for Local Government to request the relevant information from municipality. The information will be submitted to the Honourable Member as soon as it is received.